Parker Waichman Alonso LLP and it’s partner law firms continue to investigate water and other contamination associated with hydraulic fracturing and other natural gas drilling operations

Several Lawsuits Already Filed On Behalf of Pennsylvania Families Whose Water Supplies Have Been Fouled by Natural Gas Drilling. Additional Complaints Will be Filed in the Near Future. Investigations ongoing in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, Wyoming and other states.

Port Washington, NY - November 17 , 2010 - Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, a national law firm dedicated to protecting victims’ rights, continues to investigate water contamination problems associated with hydraulic fracturing and other natural gas drilling operations. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, together with its partner law firms, The Law Office of Michael Gleeson; Neblett, Beard & Arsenault; and the Becnel Law Firm, LLC, are representing dozens of individuals whose well water has been contaminated by natural gas drilling. The firms have also been retained by victims who have chemicals in their blood associated with water contamination due to natural gas drilling and exploration.

In September 2010, Parker Waichman Alonso LLP and its partner firms filed suit against Southwest Energy Production Company and its parent, Southwestern Energy Company, both of Houston Texas, on behalf of 13 families in Lenox Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. That complaint alleges that gas exploration being conducted by Southwestern Energy near the Plaintiffs’ homes has contaminated their water wells (Civil Action No: 2010-1882CP).

In October 2010, Parker Waichman Alonso LLP and its partners also filed suit against Chesapeake Appalachia, LLP, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, and Nomac Drilling LLC on behalf of a woman from Bradford County, Pennsylvania alleging that her water well was contaminated due to gas drilling operations being conducted by those Defendants (Index #: 10 cv 000681).

Both lawsuits allege that because of the Defendants’ actions, the Plaintiffs have been and continue to be exposed to hazardous substances coming from the natural gas drilling operations. The lawsuits claim, among other things, that some Plaintiffs, including an infant child, have suffered health problems consistent with toxic exposures. Both lawsuits also allege that because of the contamination of their water supplies, the value of the Plaintiffs’ property has diminished, and they have lost the use and enjoyment of their property, and the quality of life they otherwise enjoyed.

Both Pennsylvania natural gas drilling lawsuits seek preliminary and permanent injunctions barring the Defendants from engaging in the acts cited by the complaints, as well as abatement of the nuisances, unlawful conduct, violations and damages created by those acts. They also seek, among other things, compensatory damages, punitive damages, and the cost of future health monitoring.

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP and its partner law firms are also investigating several instances of water contamination that may be associated with straight line drilling being performed by Anschutz Exploration and its contractor, R.W Consulting, in Big Flats, Chemung County, New York. Methane contamination in water wells for at least 10 homes has already been confirmed, but the number is expected to rise as more testing is completed. It is unknown at this time if the contamination is limited to methane, and Parker Waichman Alonso LLP is awaiting test results for barium and other toxic substances.

Anshutz Exploration is just one of several firms conducting natural gas exploration in New York’s Southern Tier. This drilling, which targets gas deposits in the Oriskany sandstone, does not involve hydraulic fracturing, and is exempt from the de facto moratorium imposed on fracking by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in 2008. However, because drillers must go through the Marcellus Shale to get to the Oriskany, these wells could be adapted for hydraulic fracturing once the DEC permit ban is lifted.

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP continues to offer free lawsuit evaluations to victims of hydraulic fracturing and other natural gas drilling operations. If you have suffered contamination because of pollution from natural gas drilling, consultations are available through our website at www.yourlawyer.com or by calling 1 800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636).

About Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
Parker Waichman Alonso LLP is a leading personal injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. The firm has offices in New York, New Jersey and Florida. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP has assisted thousands of clients in receiving fair compensation for injuries resulting from toxic substances, defective drugs, medical devices and other products.